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Filipina teens from Cebu win top spots in Florida pageant

Keisha Belonique Abelgas was crowned National American Miss Florida Junior Preteen last June 27 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel in Orlando, Florida. She is an incoming fourth grade student at the Deer Park Elementary School in New Port Richey, Florida. Keisha competed against 130 other girls from around the state. She earned the crowned, banner, trophy, modeling scholarship to John Robert Powers Modeling School and a $1000 cash award.

She also received her transportation costs to the National Pageant which will be held in Anaheim, California during Thanksgiving week. The November trip will also include a special day in Disneyland and a tour through the famous streets of Hollywood. During the recent pageant, she was chosen as the first runner up for the casual wear modeling and the first runner up for the best resume. This is Keisha's first time to join a pageant in the U.S. Thus, it was a truly a big surprise to her and her family when her name was announced as State Queen. Keisha considers this exprience as the happiest moment of her life.

The National American Miss pageant are for "Today's Girl" and "Tomorrow's Leaders". The pageant program is based on inner beauty, as well poise, communication and presentation and offers an "all-American spirit of fun for family and friends." The pageant seeks to recognize the accomplishments of each girl while encouraging her to set goals for the future. Keisha is very excited to go to California for the first time and visit Hollywood and Disneyland. She will be representing the Sunshine State of Florida in the National American Miss pageant. She hopes to do well in the international competition.

Meanwhile, Keisha's older sister, Michaela Francheska Abelgas, a soon to be 7th grader at the River Middle School, was named to the Queen's Court as first-runner up in the Preteen division of the same pageant. Both Michaela and Keisha are the daughter of Ryan and Katherine Abelgas, Filipina immigrants from Cebu City and Ormoc City, respectively nurses who immigrated to the U.S. in 2005. Michaela also received numerous awards during the recent pageant - including a $250 cash award and trophy for Best in Casual Wear Modeling: a $250 cash price and trophy for Best Actress: and another $250 cash prize and trophy for Best in Spokesmodeling.

Michaela bagged the First Runner-Up award for Miss Photogenic and is also the recipient of the Spirit of America Award from Pageantry Magazine. She walked home with the most number of awards during that night. Michaela has excelled in the field of academics and is currently enlisted in the Gifted and Double Advance Program for Exceptional Students. She is a consistent school and district winner for the Science and Engineering Fair as well as the Tropicana Public Speaking Contest for three consecutive years. She was a Guest Speaker for the TV program "Aging on Suncoast" of the Pacso County Government Access Channel following her victory as grand winner for the "My Favorite Older Person Essay Writing Contest" in Pasco County. She was also a recipient of the President's Award for Educational Excellence. Michaela dreams of becoming pediatrician someday. She hopes to make a difference in the lives of others. image by cheryl bently/suncoast news

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